13 Inexpensive Gifts Your Employees Will Love

By Anna Attkisson, Editorial Director February 20, 2019 09:12 am EST

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Affordable gifts for your employees

Credit: Vinnstock/ShutterstockYour employees deserve appreciation and a reward for their hard work, and with Employee Appreciation Day right around the corner (March 1), there will never be a better time.

Possibly even more important that giving them the recognition they deserve, it's good for your business as well.

According a recent study by Snappy Gifts, 95 percent of employees attribute recognition in the workplace to a stronger, more positive and engaged company culture. Sadly, 30 percent feel undervalued. And 45 percent say their value is reflected by the gifts they receive.

This year, make a difference and find something unique. We’re here to help. Check out these 13 special gifts for your employees.

MoodyCards ($11.18)

Credit: MoodyCards/Amazon.comWant to add some comic relief to the office? Break the tension with MoodyCards, which allow your workers to write their own messages to display on their desk or use the pre-printed ones, like "Do I look like Google??" and "Try turning it on and off…" Your team will appreciate humor during a stressful day.

Dundie Award ($19.99)

Credit: Alpha Awards/Amazon.comEveryone loves The Office – or should, at least. If you've watched it, you likely know that Michael Scott created a great reward system to express appreciation to his team: The Dundies.

While he might not have awarded the most appropriate titles (like the Extreme Repulsiveness Award – sorry, Toby!), you can customize your Dundie approach and use the trophy as a token of appreciation for your workers.

Coffee Mug Warmer ($10.99)

Credit: Mr. Coffee/Amazon.comIt's a classic desk-job dilemma: the cold cup of coffee. With a coffee mug warmer like the Mr. Coffee Mug Warmer, your workers won't have to chug their coffee when it reaches its perfect temperature in hopes of avoiding a lukewarm liquid just minutes later.

Touchscreen gloves ($9.99)

Credit: Trendoux/ShutterstockGloves are often a necessity in the winter, especially if you commute to work and walk a decent distance to your office. However, it can be frustrating to use the phone with your mittens on, not being able to activate your phone's touchscreen.

If you work in a cold climate, consider the Trendoux Winter touchscreen gloves for employees so they can answer calls and texts, shuffle music, browse social media or type an email while keeping their hands warm.

If you work in a cold climate, consider purchasing the Trendoux Winter touchscreen gloves for employees so they can answer calls and texts, shuffle music, browse social media or type an email while keeping their hands warm.

Mrs. Meyer's soy candle (Price varies)

Credit: Mrs. MeyersWhat better way to brighten someone's day than gifting them with a calming and comforting candle? Mrs. Meyer's is known for its clean scents and natural products; the company's candles are no exception.

This two-pack soy candle burns for up to 35 hours and is free from animal-derived ingredients.

Essential oil diffuser ($27.99)

Credit: VicTsing/Amazon.comEssential oils can encourage tranquility and offer a sense of comfort in your personal space. Employees can use the VicTsing 300ml Cool Mist Humidifier natural diffuser in the office or at home to clear their mind and unwind. It powers off automatically when it runs out of water, or it runs for up to 10 hours.

Portable power bank ($31.99)

Credit: AnkerMany employees commute to work and spend at least eight hours in the office or at the job site. It's not uncommon for phone batteries to drain during the day, which leads to panic. With a portable power bank, like the Anker PowerCore 10000, your workers' lifelines can be recharged whenever and wherever they need it.

Bubble umbrella ($26.95)

Credit: TotesEspecially for workers who commute by foot or bike, an umbrella is a must-have – but not just any kind. Try the $29.89 Totes Signature bubble umbrella that protects you from both the rain and the wind, covering your face but allowing you to see out.

YETI Rambler ($29.99)

Credit: YETIYETI thermos bottles are renowned for their ability to keep fluids hot or cold, depending on your beverage's original temperature. On a damp winter day, your workers will appreciate their coffee's heat, which lasts for hours. In the summer, their ice water will still be refreshing by the end of their shift.

Coffee gift card (price varies)

Credit: Starbucks/Amazon.comYour caffeine-addicted employees likely spend a chunk of their salary purchasing coffee. The next time they head over to their favorite coffee house, tell them it's on you with a gift card.

Bonsai Tree ($25.98)

Credit: 9GreenBoxThese ornamental, dwarf trees will bring a smile to any nature loving employee and add some life to the office. Caring for them through maintenance pruning is one way to cut stress, too. Be careful not to overwater it. The 9GreenBox Fukien Tea Bonsai comes with a 6-inch ceramic pot. If you really want to go all out, add the $7.88 BambooMN Bonsai Tree Pruning Trimming Starter Tool Kit.

Cornhole Bean Bag Toss Game Set ($89.99)

Credit: GoSportsTreat the whole office with a GoSports Cornhole game set. It will liven up your next office party, is good for lunch break tournaments, and is a great team-building experience. It comes with two cornhole boards, eight all-weather regulation bean bags, a carrying case and an official set of rules.

Noise-Isolating Headphones ($14.99)

Credit: BetronAnyone who's ever worked in an open-air office will tell you that the key to a productive day is a set of quality headphones. The Betron GLD100 Earphones claims to offer noise-isolating sound and bass-driven sound. The 3.5mm audio jack will fit pretty much any laptop. And it comes with a one-year warranty for manufacturing defects.

After getting infected with the publishing bug at Wireless World and Cellular Business magazines, Anna Attkisson went on to dabble in all sorts of publications covering everything from children's fashion to financial planning, cars and travel. She then spent 10 years, writing and editing for Laptop Mag and Tom's Guide. And now she oversees the editorial planning for Business.com and Business News Daily. She has a B.S. in journalism from the University of Kansas and is passionate about learning.